An exit poll from a regional election in Germany suggests that coalition allies of Chancellor Angela Merkel have failed to retain their majority in the state of North Rhine-Westpahlia.
If the trend is confirmed, she will lose control over the upper house of parliament, slowing the passage of legislation.
The BBC reports the campaign has been overshadowed by the government's decision to contribute to a huge rescue package for Greece. The package is extremely unpopular with the German public.
Germany's share of a 110 billion euro loan to Greece, is 22.4 billion euro. It was passed on Friday by the lower house by 390 votes to 72, with 139 abstentions, and later confirmed by the upper house.
